The Summit Neighborhood Association invites everyone to its regular board meeting at which Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza will discuss the city’s finances.
The event begins at 7 p.m. Monday, May 16, in the main dining room at Summit Commons, 99 Hillside Ave. The mayor’s proposal is below, as posted on his web page.
The details can be viewed through the online tool Open Budget Providence by visiting: openbudget.providenceri.gov
TAXES • Makes the car tax more affordable and fairer for our residents by raising the exemption level to $2,000 • Forms a revenue working group to identify alternative sources of revenue and reduce reliance on property and excise taxes • Proposes an ordinance to create a standardized tangible tax stabilization agreement aimed to attract and expand businesses in Providence’s strongest sectors: food, design, maritime, and aging • Ends city’s reliance on one-time revenue sources for budget gaps, ensuring that one-time revenues go to one-time investments • Lowers residential tax rate, non-resident tax rate, and commercial property tax rate
NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT • Tenfold increase in the city’s capital budget to $1 million • Continues the citywide EveryHome Program in an effort to reduce blight and address vacant and abandoned properties in the city • Provides $1.1 million support to local businesses through the Providence Business Loan Fund • Creates a Small Business Liaison position to assist in starting or expanding a business • Creates a Capital Improvement and Community Investment workgroup that targets investments in infrastructure
PUBLIC SAFETY • Expanded Police Academy to 60 cadets from 32 to be trained and prepared for duty by early 2017 • Opens the application process for the city’s 51st Fire Academy • Expands community policing efforts with a dedicated community liaison within the Public Safety Department • Includes new signage for the newly expanded citywide Neighborhood Crime Watch program
PUBLIC EDUCATION • $500,000 Access to Technology investment which will provide over 1,200 new computers to schools • Expands summer and after-school learning opportunities for students • Provides support for administrators and principals by giving more autonomy and resources • Invests in equity in Providence Public Schools through the hiring of an EEOC Officer • Creates bilingual call center to be point of contact between families and Providence schools
HEALTHY LIVING AND SUSTAINABILITY • Expands full summer programming offered by the city’s Recreation Department • Continues year-round recreation programs developed this current year • Includes improvements to parks, playgrounds, and green spaces including Roger Williams Park
LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY • Calls on stakeholders in state government, non-profit institutions, labor, and business to work collaboratively with the city to face fiscal challenges
